Community

P6
Community
Kenyan
expats
mark World
Humanitarian Day by
gathering and sending
important supplies to the
needy in Nairobi.
P16
Community
Katara hosts
free screening
of acclaimed
Filipino film Bamboo
Flowers that blends
exposition of local culture
and entertainment value.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
Dhul-Qa'da 27, 1437 AH
DOHA
33°C—41°C TODAY
LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE 11
PUZZLES 12 & 13
COVER
STORY
The
son
rises
Travis Knight, scion
of Nike empire,
did not step into
his father’s shoes.
Instead he charted
his own path as
an animator and
filmmaker P4-5
FINDING HIS CALLING: Travis Knight, son of Nike founder Phil Knight, is the director of animation film Kubo and the Two Strings.
2
GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 30, 2016
COMMUNITY
PRAYER TIME
Fajr
Shorooq (sunrise)
Zuhr (noon)
Asr (afternoon)
Maghreb (sunset)
Isha (night)
3.55am
5.13am
11.35am
3.04pm
5.57pm
7.27pm
USEFUL NUMBERS
ROUND & ABOUT
The BFG: The Big Friendly Giant
GENRE: Adventure, Family
CAST: Mark Rylance, Ruby
Barnhill, Penelope Wilton
DIRECTION: Steven Spielberg
SYNOPSIS: A girl named
Sophie encounters the Big
Friendly Giant who, despite his
intimidating appearance, turns
out to be a kind-hearted soul
who is considered an outcast by
the other giants because, unlike
them, he refuses to eat children.
Naturally scared at first, the young
girl soon realises that the 24-foot
behemoth is actually quite gentle
and charming. As their friendship
grows, Sophie’s presence attracts
the unwanted attention of
Bloodbottler, Fleshlumpeater and
other giants. After travelling to
London, Sophie and the BFG must
convince Queen Victoria to help
them get rid of all the bad giants
once and for all.
THEATRES: The Mall, Royal
Plaza
Emergency
999
Worldwide Emergency Number
112
Kahramaa – Electricity and Water
991
Local Directory
180
International Calls Enquires
150
Hamad International Airport
40106666
Labor Department
44508111, 44406537
Mowasalat Taxi
44588888
Qatar Airways
44496000
Hamad Medical Corporation
44392222, 44393333
Qatar General Electricity and
Water Corporation
44845555, 44845464
Primary Health Care Corporation
44593333
44593363
Qatar Assistive Technology
Centre
44594050
Qatar News Agency
44450205
44450333
Q-Post – General Postal
Corporation
44464444
Humanitarian Services Office
(Single window facility for the repatriation of bodies)
Ministry of Interior
40253371, 40253372,
40253369
Ministry of Health
40253370, 40253364
Hamad Medical Corporation
40253368, 40253365
Qatar Airways
40253374
ote Unquote
u
Q Believe in yourself!
Have faith in your abilities!
Without a humble but reasonable
confidence in your own powers you
cannot be successful or happy.
—Norman Vincent Peale
Community Editor
Kamran Rehmat
e-mail: community@gulf-times.com
Telephone: 44466405
Fax: 44350474
Mr. FuzzyPants
GENRE: Comedy, Family, Fantasy
CAST: Kevin Spacey, Jennifer
Garner, Robbie Amell
DIRECTION: Barry Sonnenfeld
SYNOPSIS: Tom Brand (Kevin
Spacey) is a daredevil billionaire at
the top of his game. His company
is nearing completion on the tallest
skyscraper in the northern hemisphere.
But Tom’s workaholic lifestyle has
Mall Cinema (1): Mechanics:
Resurrection (2D) 11.15am; A
Flying Jatt (Hindi) 1.30pm;
The Secret Life Of Pets (2D)
4pm; Mechanics: Resurrection
(2D) 5.30pm; Mechanics:
Resurrection (2D) 7.30pm;
Mechanics: Resurrection
(2D) 9.30pm; Mechanics:
Resurrection (2D) 11.30pm.
Mall Cinema (2): Genius (2D)
11.45am; Space Dogs: Adv. To
The Moon (2D) 2pm; Space
Dogs: Adv. To The Moon (2D)
3.30pm; Space Dogs: Adv. To
The Moon (2D) 5pm; Skiptrace
(2D) 7pm; Genius (2D) 9pm; A
Flying Jatt (Hindi) 11PM.
Mall Cinema (3): Mr.
disconnected him from his family,
particularly his wife Lara (Jennifer
Garner) and daughter Rebecca (Malina
Weissman). Rebecca’s 11th birthday
is here, and she wants a cat. Tom
hates cats but needs a gift. He finds a
mystical pet store where the owner,
Felix Perkins (Christopher Walken),
presents him with a tomcat named
Mr. Fuzzypants. En route to his
daughter’s party, Tom has a terrible
accident. When he wakes he discovers
he is trapped in the body of the cat.
Adopted by his own family, he begins
to experience his life through a new
perspective. In order to return to his
family as the husband and father they
deserve, Tom will have to learn why
he has been placed in this peculiar
situation.
THEATRES: Royal Plaza, The Mall
Mechanics: Resurrection (2D)
11pm
Royal Plaza Cinema Palace
Fuzzypants (2D) 11.30am; BFG: (2): Skiptrace (2D) 11.30am;
Space Dogs: Adv. To The
Big Friendly Giant (2D) 1pm;
Aatadunkundam-Raa (Telugu) Moon (2D) 2.30pm; Space
Dogs: Adv. To The Moon (2D)
3pm; Mr. Fuzzypants (2D)
5.30pm; A Flying Jatt (Hindi) 4pm; Skiptrace (2D) 5.30pm;
Mr. Fuzzypants (2D) 7.30pm;
7pm; Kismath (Malayalam)
9.30pm; Genius (2D) 11.30pm. Kismath (Malayalam) 9.15pm;
Royal Plaza Cinema Palace A Flying Jatt (Hindi) 11.15pm.
(1): Mechanics: Resurrection Royal Plaza Cinema Palace
(2D) 11.30am; Mr. Fuzzypants (3): Genius (2D) 11am; A Flying
Jatt (Hindi) 1pm; The BFG: Big
(2D) 1.30pm; The Secret
Friendly Giant (2D) 3.30pm;
Life Of Pets (2D) 3pm; A
Kismath (Malayalam) 5.30pm;
Flying Jatt (Hindi) 4.30pm;
Genius (2D) 7.30pm; Unindian
Mechanics: Resurrection
(2D) 9.30pm; Genius (2D)
(2D) 7.15pm; Mechanics:
11.30pm.
Resurrection (2D) 9pm;
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
on Friday from 4pm to 9pm. The
event continues until September 1.
The event aims at providing goods
at low prices to needy families for
Eid al-Adha and for children who
will be back to school when the new
academic year starts next month.
A Symphony of Horror
DATE: Sept 22
TIME: 7:30pm
VENUE: Katara Opera House
This concert is part of the
Symphony of Films series, in
Partnership with Doha Film Institute
and the British Council. Get info
on this website to book your show.
http://www.dohafilminstitute.com/
events/dfi-cinema
Beauty & The Beast
DATE: Sept 11-17
TIME: 4pm
VENUE: Dar Al Salam Mall
The Eid celebrations will offer a
variety of daily family entertainment
shows. Exclusive live entertainment
shows will feature throughout the
week, Beauty & The Beast will be
held at Dar Al Salam Mall.
Public Speaking Meet
DATE: Sep 3
TIME: 7pm-9:30pm
VENUE: Holiday Villa
Doha Toastmasters, the pioneer
club of Qatar, trains individuals
in communication and leadership
skills. Transform yourself into a
confident public speaker and a
strong leader. Acquire this vital
skill in a friendly and supportive
environment. For more details call
77036696.
Pirates from the Caribbean
DATE: Sept 11- 17
TIME: 4pm
VENUE: Lagoona Mall
The Eid celebrations will offer a
variety of daily family entertainment
shows. Exclusive live entertainment
shows will feature throughout the
week, Pirates from the Caribbean
will be held at Lagoona Mall.
Tarzan Screening
DATE: Sept 11-17
TIME: 4pm
VENUE: City Center
The Eid celebrations will offer a
variety of daily family entertainment
shows. Exclusive live entertainment
shows will feature throughout the
week, Tarzan will be held at City
Centre.
Life Saving Course RSS feed
Date: Until Sep 1
TIME: 12pm- 2pm
Venue: Al Arabi Club
Qatar Swimming Association,
a member of the International
lifesaving Federation (ILS), is
organising a lifesaving course for
both sexes. It will be held four
days a week (Saturday, Monday,
Wednesday, and Thursday) from
9am to 11am and from 12pm to
1pm. On Thursday, it will be from
12pm to 2pm only. It includes
theoretical and practical parts, and
is being presented in both Arabic
and English. The registration fee is
QR1,500.
Dari Qatar
DATE: Ongoing
Doha Film Institute and Qatar
Tourism Authority have embarked
on an ambitious mission of
producing an unprecedented
documentary – ‘Dari Qatar’ – a
personal journey through Qatar,
about you, for you, filmed by all
of you. ‘Dari Qatar’ is an intimate,
engaging portrayal of Qatar today;
a refreshing look at the nation, told
entirely by its public, revealing the
hopes, loves, fears, dreams and
realities of the people who call
Qatar home. ‘Dari Qatar’ will give
the world a different perspective on
what it is like to live in Qatar, with its
unique beauty, its cultural diversity
and its rich Arabic traditions.
Doha Beauty Show
DATE: Oct 20-22
TIME: 10am
VENUE: Doha Exhibition and
Convention Center
Qatar’s first Doha Beauty Show
will be held from 20th to 22nd of
October at the Doha Exhibition
and Convention Center. The Doha
Beauty Show is the first of its kind
event in Qatar that is dedicated to
local and international trade and
beauty professionals as well as local
consumers. The three-day show
focuses on four pillars in the beauty
industry, including Cosmetics &
Fragrance, Spa & Aesthetics, Natural
Products and Hair Care & Nails.
Bazar and Back-to-School
DATE: Until Sept 1
TIME: 9am
VENUE: Duhail
The Women’s Section of Sheikh
Thani Bin Abdullah Foundation for
Humanitarian Services (RAF) has
opened a charity event, ‘Bazar and
Back-to-School’ at its headquarters
in Al Duhail.
The event offers Eid dresses for
children and adults, household
items, and stationery donated by
companies and philanthropists
for the needy people. It receives
people daily from 9am to 9pm and
3
COMMUNITY
ROUND & ABOUT
EVENTS
GULF TIMES
Filipino Community Family
Day
DATE: Sept 13-15
TIME: 10am
VENUE: Westin Hotel 7 Spa,
Doha
Kulinarya Qatar is inviting
everyone to attend the annual
Filipino Community Day & Food
Festival to be held from September
13 to 15 from 10am-10pm at the
Westin Hotel and Spa. The event will
feature Filipino food restaurants and
different international
stalls, Filipino and local products,
cultural shows, kids activities, games
cooking competitions, workshops
and other exciting programmes.
Climate Change Programme
DATE: Sept 4-8
TIME: 10am
VENUE: Maktaba Qatar, Al
Mabahej & Saha 33, Doha
Are you looking for a programme
that helps your child understand
how and why our climate is
changing? The programme “Climate
Change’’ is designed for children
7-14 years old to introduce them to
the causes and effects of the climate
change and what people can do to
slow the change and prepare for
it. Each session is based on games,
science activities and triggering
their curiosity to make research and
work on projects.
Qur’an Memorisation Course
DATE: Until August 31
TIME: 8am-12pm
VENUE: Eid Charity Female
Center
Qur’an memorisation unit at Eid
Charity Female Center will organise
Al Shafea Qur’an Memorisation
Course for those above 15 years
at the three branches of the unit
(Dafna, Wakrah and Al Khor). The
course starts from 8am to 12pm.
Registration fees: QR400.
Aspire Splash and Dash
DATE: Every Sunday and
Wednesday
TIME: 7pm-9pm
VENUE: Aspire Dome
The athletics track and swimming
pool will be open for 50 participants
aged seven years and above per
session and facility. Swimming
skills are mandatory for registering
at the swimming sessions with a
limited number of 50 participants
per session. The event is open to
public registration on-site from 6 to
7:45pm.
Doha Sightseeing
DATE: Ongoing
TIME: 9am-9pm
VENUE: Around Doha
Doha Bus is Qatar’s first Hopon Hop-off sight-seeing bus tour,
providing both local residents and
visiting tourists a flexible way to
discover the country’s vibrant past,
present and future. Each Doha
Bus tour highlights a variety of
interesting locations throughout this
fast changing landscape including
Souq Waqif, The Pearl, Villaggio as
well as The Museum of Islamic Art.
Doha Bus enhances the sightseeing
experience with seven different
language options to choose from
as well as group discounts, private
coach tours and corporate outings.
Doha Bus is a fun, interactive and
highly education experience for
every traveller.
Combination of Sun, Sand and
Surfing
DATE: Ongoing
VENUE: Aqua Park
For the first time ever in Qatar,
it will be possible to ride up curved
sidewalls at 90 degrees to the
direction of the water flow. Giving
visitors and especially surfing
fanatics an amazing experience
available at only one place in Qatar
Aqua Park.
Come join us and also take
advantage of the extra free ticket you
get anytime you buy two Stingray
Tickets.
Qatar Summer Festival 2016
DATE: Until August 31
VENUE: Doha Exhibition and
Convention Center
Enjoy with your family the Qatar
Summer Festival, organised by Qatar
Tourism Authority throughout the
month of August under the theme
‘Color Your Summer’. It will include
a wide range of summer entertaining
events and activities, art zones,
shopping promotions, in addition to
a unique entertainment city.
Garage Gallery
DATE: Until Nov 1
TIME: 8pm
VENUE: Spaces at the Fire
Station
The Artists in Residence
exhibition is a culmination of an
intensive nine-month programme,
featuring works by 18 local
contemporary artists who have
been working in the artist’s studios
and spaces at the Fire Station since
September 2015. The exhibition
showcases new work and projects
created by the artists during their
residency period, shedding light on
the development of their innovative
ideas and diverse studio practices.
Photographic, sculptural, and
installation based artworks fill the
Garage Gallery and showcase these
talented artists.
Vacation Competition
DATE: Until September 21
VENUE: FCC Office
Women’s forum of Friends
Cultural Centre has announced
competitions for Qatar-based
Malayalee students of grades IV–
XII. There are two competitions
including Avadhikkalath an
article on vacation experiences
and Avadhikkalakazhchakal,
on photography. Article on
vacation experiences should
be prepared in Malayalam or
in English with a minimum of
500 words. Photographs for the
competition should be printed on
A4 size art paper or photo paper.
Pictures should not have been
published before and should not
be downloaded from internet.
Entries for competitions need to be
submitted to FCC Office on or before
21 September 2016. More details can
be obtained by contacting telephone
number 44661213.
QSports Summer Camp
DATE: Until September 1
TIME: 8am-1pm
VENUE: Al Jazeera Academy
Registration for QSports Summer
Camp 2016 is now open. QSports
summer camps are committed to
providing a safe, fun and skill-based
experience for kids between the ages
of four and 14. We have a dedicated
team of specialist kid’s coaches
and classes and activities are safe,
planned, progressive, active, creative,
inclusive and designed to maximise
participation of all children by
offering a variety of activities.
Yamativo Salsa Classes
DATE: Every Monday
TIME: 7pm
VENUE: Radisson Blu
It’s always fun and always
challenging. Let’s meet and learn
some moves every Monday night.
You don’t need to do anything, just
join us. Level 1 (intermediate level)
7pm and for beginner level 8pm. Be
there at Radisson Blu Hotel Cabana
Club.
Pottery workshop for kids
DATE: Every Monday
TIME: 5pm-6pm
Kids will learn a new hand
building technique for creating and
finishing artworks in clay. For more,
call 44865201.
Sketching with pencil and
charcoal
DATE: Sunday and Wednesday
TIME: 5pm- 6:30pm
If you can hold a pencil, you can
draw…Discover techniques to make
your drawing more realistic. Every
Saturday and Wednesday from 5pm6:30pm.
Fitness Training
DATE: Sunday, Tue, Thu
TIME: 6pm-7pm
VENUE: MIA Park
There are fitness classes in the
park on Sunday, Tuesday and
Thursday nights at 6 and 7pm. Open
to all levels of fitness. Bootcamp is
an intensive and fun way to train and
also meet new people in the open
and friendly group atmosphere.
More information, from Bootcamp,
Qatar or info@bootcampqatar.com
FOODIE CHOICE
RESTAURANT: Porcini
LOCATION: The Ritz-Carlton
Porcini is named after the famous
Italian mushroom ‘boletus edulis,’
which many Italian chefs say is
the best mushroom in the world.
The presentation of the dishes are
imaginative, risky and daring and for
this they should get the praise they
deserve. The restaurant is exclusive,
with the impeccably placed utensils
on the table to the well-designed
romantic lighting. It’s a great place
for partners to go as the overall
ambience is romantic and loving.
Compiled by Nausheen Shaikh. E-mail: gtlisting@gmail.com, Events and timings subject to change
4
GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 30, 2016
COMMUNITY
COVER STORY
‘I feel so intensely
about animation’
Filmmaker Travis Knight followed his dad’s advice and carved his
own path, making movies including Kubo. By Rebecca Keegan
DIRECTOR’S CUT: Travis Knight speaks about the making of his latest film Kubo and the Two Strings, an epic set in a fantastical version of ancient Japan.
I
n 2004, when he was 29, Travis
Knight learned in a phone call
that his brother, Matthew,
who was four years older,
had died in a scuba diving
accident in El Salvador. It was Travis’
responsibility to find his parents —
Nike founder Phil Knight and his
wife, Penny Knight, who were out at
a movie — and tell them.
“That was maybe the worst
day of my entire life,” said Knight,
president and chief executive of
the Oregon-based stop-motion
animation studio Laika, reflecting on
the loss in Los Angeles this month.
“My brother and I had unresolved
things. I just wish I could have had
one final conversation with him. I
was intensely, profoundly angry at
the unfairness of it all.”
Twelve years later, Knight, now
41, has directed a film that grapples
with some of these same issues,
Kubo and the Two Strings. An epic
set in a fantastical version of ancient
Japan, the film follows a boy, Kubo,
who is trying to locate a magical suit
of armour that was worn by his late
father.
“When Kubo responds to grief
and loss and he’s got rage and anger,
that’s real, that’s what we feel,”
Knight said. “It took me a good long
while before I could make peace with
it myself.”
Like each of Laika’s three previous
features — Coraline, ParaNorman
and The Boxtrolls — Kubo and the
Two Strings feels wildly different
from the broadly popular films made
by larger animation studios. Knight
declined to give a budget for Kubo
but said that if you added all four of
Laika’s feature film budgets together,
they would not add up to a major
computer-animated film at Disney
or Pixar.
He’s also proud that Laika doesn’t
have a house style, although it
would be fair to say that the studio’s
style is Knight’s personal taste,
a taste developed in a childhood
spent largely alone, lost in art and
buoyed by money. It’s a formula that
works for the studio; all three of
its previous features earned Oscar
nominations, and each grossed more
than $100mn worldwide.
Written by Marc Haimes and
Chris Butler, from an original story
by Haimes and Shannon Tindle,
Kubo is Knight’s first film as a
director, but the executive has been
a hands-on figure at Laika since the
studio’s founding in 2005.
He was a producer and animator
on ParaNorman and The Boxtrolls
and a lead animator on Coraline.
The Kubo and the Two Strings voice
cast includes Art Parkinson (Rickon
Stark on Game of Thrones) as Kubo,
Charlize Theron as a stern-talking
monkey charged with keeping Kubo
safe, and Rooney Mara as a spooky
pair of sisters who haunt him on his
journey.
Much of the ideas and aesthetic of
the film are informed by books and
art Knight discovered through his
parents.
Growing up in Hillsboro, Oregon,
a suburb of Portland, Knight learned
to love fantasy stories like those of J
R R Tolkien, C S Lewis and L Frank
Baum, thanks to his mother, an avid
reader. At age eight, he visited Japan
while accompanying his father on a
business trip and came home with a
backpack full of manga comics.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
GULF TIMES
5
COMMUNITY
COVER STORY
Kubo is swept up by origami wings in Kubo and the Two Strings.
“I spent most of my time alone,”
Knight said of his childhood. “I made
friends slowly when I made them at
all. Most of my time I spent making
things — writing stories, drawing,
making music.”
At the time, Phil Knight was
building Nike into a retail giant
and often travelling for business.
“When you’re growing up and you
see a parent working so hard to
build something ... all these things
come at a cost. ... As a kid you don’t
necessarily understand that. When
I found animation, that’s when I
finally understood it.”
Although he was developing an
artistic sensibility as a child, Knight
said he didn’t see art as a career
choice.
“I didn’t know anybody who was
a professional artist,” Knight said.
“I figured I’d have to be a proper
grown-up and make a career for
myself in finance.”
Travis Knight’s grandfather, a
lawyer and newspaper publisher,
had been sceptical of Phil Knight’s
plans to build a shoe company. And
with his dad Phil building Nike into
a retail giant when he was a child,
Travis similarly blazed his own path,
briefly trying rap music and getting
a bachelor’s degree in social science
from Portland State University
before settling in as an animator
at Will Vinton Studios, where he
worked on the TV show The PJs and
on some commercials.
“The Knight boys have a long
tradition of disappointing their
fathers,” Knight said. “We have to
follow our muse. One of the things
my dad told me when I was growing
up was, ‘Find your calling. Find
what you’re meant to do.’ When I
found animation, I knew this was
it. ... I feel so intensely about it. It
was when I finally understood the
passion and intensity my dad has for
what he does.”
Phil Knight’s success has helped
facilitate his son’s. When Will Vinton
Studios was struggling financially in
the late 1990s, Phil Knight invested
in it, ultimately becoming its
majority shareholder. In 2005, after
Will Vinton shut down, Laika was
founded from its ashes, and it now
employs 500 to 600 people at a time.
As an animator, Knight is known
for his speed and focus. The
painstaking, solitary task of moving
puppets frame by frame on an
animation stage suits his introverted
temperament.
Stop-motion is an artisanal
filmmaking style, made famous by
artists such as Ray Harryhausen or
in the 1960s Rankin Bass Christmas
specials but rarely performed at the
scale that Laika does it anymore
(except at Britain-based Aardman
Animations).
“He wants the animation to
be subtle and emotional, and he
wants to do everything in a scene,”
said Arianne Sutner, who heads
production at Laika. “Stop-motion
animation is pretty physically
demanding. You’re on your feet.
You’re contorting your body in weird
ways. It requires such focus. But it
seems relaxing for him in a weird
way.”
For the first time since its
founding, Laika had two movies
in production at once during the
making of Kubo and the Two Strings
— the second film has not been
announced.
“It was exhausting and
exhilarating,” Knight said, of
directing his first film while running
the studio. “It’s weird because
effectively I’m my own boss. I’ve
always had one foot in each world.
I’ve always been involved in the
minutiae of creating art. At the same
time you’ve got to have a global
vision. You’ve got to look more
broadly.”
His vision for Laika has been to
diverge from most major filmmaking
trends. He doesn’t test-screen films,
make sequels or gravitate toward
intellectual property with big, builtin brand awareness. Those choices
Nike founder Phil Knight showcases one of the brand’s earlier models in this
file picture.
are possible because Laika’s budgets
are significantly lower than its major
CG animation competitors’, Knight
said.
“When I became a father,
I saw what passed for family
entertainment,” said Knight, whose
children are now 15, 13 and three. “So
much of it was vapid. I wanted to
make things that mattered. I wanted
to surprise people.” — Los Angeles
Times/TNS
6
GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 30, 2016
COMMUNITY
Kenyan expats mark World Humanitarian
Day by sending aid back home
The Green Maasai Troupe members convened at Al-Arabi Park and packed the gathered clothes and bedsheets which were then sent to an orphanage in Kenya.
By Anand Holla
E
very year, World
Humanitarian Day
(WHD) is held on August
19 to pay tribute to aid
workers who risk their
lives in humanitarian service, and
to mobilise people to advocate
for a more humane world. The
theme for this year’s WHD was
‘One Humanity’, and a Kenyan
community group in Qatar, in its
own compassionate little ways,
brought smiles on the faces of
dozens back home.
By gathering and sending
important supplies to the needy in
Nairobi, the Green Maasai Troupe
made sure they mirrored the spirit
of WHD, in both thought and
action. Zacchaeus Njuguna, who
heads the group, told Community,
“We have been preparing for
our WHD activity for the past
two months. We organised and
collected clothes, shoes, bedsheets
and linen from various people —
the only condition being that they
should be in good condition. Most
of the materials were collected from
within our group, which currently
comprises 28 Kenyan expats.
Those who couldn’t contribute to
the cause went to the market and
bought some new clothes.”
On August 19, the Green Maasai
Troupe members convened at
Al-Arabi Park, shared and packed
the materials which were then sent
to an orphanage for both children
and grown-ups, in Kibera, which is
just five km from Nairobi. “Those
people don’t have access to clothes
and bedding,” Njuguna explained,
“All of us pitched in money to
cover the cost of the group cargo
containing all materials. A friend of
ours who was going on his annual
vacation just then, took some of
clothes with him so as to distribute
it in Kibera.”
Apart from this, the group
went to Hamad General Hospital
and met several patients who
could do with some words of
solace and encouragement. “For
instance, there was a Kenyan who
was recuperating from injuries
sustained in a road accident,
a Sudanese who was in the
Emergency Ward; we just went up
to all of them and spoke to them
as their families are very far from
here and they need someone around
to give them strength,” Njuguna
said, “For us, WHD was about
giving back to the community in
whichever way we could.”
However, this isn’t the first time
that the Green Maasai Troupe swung
to the aid of the less-privileged.
“Last year, too, we had gathered
clothes and materials the same way
but had sent it to Qatar Charity
instead of Kenya,” Njuguna said.
WHD was designated by the
General Assembly seven years ago
to coincide with the anniversary
of the 2003 bombing of the United
Nations (UN) headquarters in
Baghdad, Iraq. “This World
Humanitarian Day, the UN and
its partners are calling for global
solidarity with the more than 130
million people around the world
who need humanitarian assistance
to survive,” the UN says about
WHD, “This year, WHD follows on
one of the most pivotal moments
in the history of humanitarian
action: the World Humanitarian
Summit, held from 23 to 24 May in
Istanbul. During the Summit, world
leaders came together to declare
their collective support for the new
Agenda for Humanity and commit
to bold action to reduce suffering
and deliver better for the millions
of people in need of humanitarian
assistance.”
Various events were held around
the world on August 19 to honour
the work of humanitarian workers
and to celebrate the theme of
‘One Humanity’. UN SecretaryGeneral, Ban Ki-moon, had said,
“World Humanitarian Day is
an annual reminder of the need
to act to alleviate the suffering.
It is also an occasion to honour
the humanitarian workers and
volunteers toiling on the frontlines
of crises. I pay tribute to these
dedicated women and men who
brave danger to help others at far
greater risk.”
For Njuguna and his friends,
bringing WHD in their own fashion
is just one of many noble deeds
they have been part of such as
various environment drives. Called
Turning waste into art, a bottle
cap art project was thought up by
Njuguna and two other Kenyan
expats, Peter Kimani and Gabriel
Kamiti. At QP’s Environment Fair,
they made murals of animals, fishes
and birds using plastic bottle caps,
and created a mural that raises
environmental awareness using
60,000 caps, in collaboration with
the Solid Waste Interest Group
(SWIG) of the Qatar Green Building
Council (QGBC), among many
others.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
GULF TIMES
COMMUNITY
Pakistan Education Centre excels in HSSC Part-I exams
The Pakistan Education Centre (PEC) in Doha has secured the top two positions in Qatar in HSSC
Part-I exams, the results for which were announced by FBISE in Islamabad, Pakistan recently.
Mahnoor Shahid scored 471 marks and secured the first position, while Zoya Naeem stood
second with 464 marks.This year a total 110 students appeared in the examination out of which 87
students passed. 28 students got A1 and A grades. The overall pass ratio was 79.09%.
PEC Principal Nargis Raza Otho congratulated the students, their parents, and teachers. She
said that PEC is progressing in academics gradually and clearly.
Ambassador of Pakistan to Qatar Shahzad Ahmad also congratulated all concerned and
emphasised the students to work diligently and smartly at this stage of their academics as
they are the ones who would represent and lead Pakistan in future.
Mahnoor Shahid (First)
Zoya Naeem (Second)
Noorah (Third)
Sidrah Haidar
Jawariya
Mumtaz Riaz
Almas
Kainat Mazhar
Fatima Shabbir
Zainab Ali
Mansoor ul Haq
Hira Manzoor
Yousaf
Ambreen Riaz
Ibrahim Murtaza
Qudsiya Pervaiz
Abdullah Saleem
Roheena Murad
Aysha Naeem
Ali Khalid
Mahnoor Ghulam Akbar
Arisha Ahmad
Sarah Salman
Rubab Fatima
Rabia Suleman
Anmol Chohan
Muhammad Abu Bakar
Romaisa Aleem
7
8
GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 30, 2016
COMMUNITY
Recording the metamorphosis
of individuals and groups
Ongoing exhibition at Katara Art Centre Gallery features the works of
Qatar-based established and up-and-coming artists. By Umer Nangiana
ON DISPLAY: The ‘Movement’ by Faraj Daham, mixed media on wood.
A
l-Markhiya has put together
an inspiring mix of old
and new works from both
established and up-andcoming names in the local
and regional art scene at their ongoing
exhibition.
Up on display at the Katara Art Centre
Gallery are the works of painting and
sculptures from artists based in Doha.
Faraj Daham, a veteran Qatari artist,
is one of them. He is showcasing mixed
media on wood titled ‘Movement’. The
three paintings, displaying intense colour
patterns spread over canvases, are from
Daham’s 2001 collection.
Daham’s experience is intricately
linked to the movement of organic
bodies. He worked for a very long time
on rendering images and showcasing
them in a single space condensed by both
action and reaction, while portraying
bodily energy in a manner that captures
the essence of its potential to change.
Faraj Daham directly worked on
capturing the fragmentation and decay
that affects bodies, which are always
tormented, and on searching for the
appropriate artistic equivalent for
rearranging organic entities.
He plots the way forward as an
observer and as an artist with his
imagination, and power of deduction, to
find the best method to reconstitute the
body. He believes that there are motives
harboured by the latter, like a power
charge inherent in human action. In fact,
this is the very scale upon which we can
build our knowledge of the artist’s path
since 1975.
Faraj was preoccupied as a researcher
with the idea of organic transformations
in nature, and their outcomes that
continuously build and rebuild
themselves. These transformations have
evolved, while he continues to draw on
social, technological, ecological and
universal changes.
Daham believes that all these
transformations affect the body and its
abilities, and influence the path of its
spontaneous growth.
In general, his method is observation.
Daham explores his surroundings to
record the metamorphosis of individuals
and groups, as bodies vacillate among
laws, equations, rules and barriers that
restrict motion, and obstruct one’s path,
altering the trajectory of the body’s
motion.
And this Faraj examines closely to
learn about the body’s ability to endure,
and achieve equilibrium and stability
in an existence that is rapidly becoming
universal, and which dictates to us the
conditions of our survival.
This contemporary but ever-changing
modernist sense of empowerment did
not prevent Faraj Daham from dealing
with the notion of the body with a
mentality that is not completely detached
from today’s realities.
Scientific and empirical principles
and discoveries are denotative signs
that instruct the artist to look for coordinates and paths that reorganise the
overall composition of works of art, while
the return to scientific and philosophical
principles and biological diversity makes
room for knowledge and reasoning.
With the presence of the body in its
stationary and mobile forms in spaces of
criss-cross lines and geometrical shapes,
Faraj uses colour synthesis to contain the
visual medium away from superfluous
aesthetics on the painting’s surface.
The overall configuration of Faraj
Daham’s artistic work is ever-growing,
touching on other diverse artistic
mediums, such as drawing, painting,
sculpture-and pottery, as well as collages
and other new techniques that he
continuously explores in his workshop.
The result, after his long journey, is
that Daham continues to be aware of
the connection between people and
their suffering. He draws a path from
yesterday, to today, or a path between
arrival and departure, and between
wherever places the human body goes to
in our world.
Born in Doha in 1956, Daham pursued
his Bachelors degree in the Higher
Institute of Theatric Arts in Kuwait
between 1980 and 1984.
In 1986, he continued his education to
graduate in 1988 with a Masters degree in
Fine Arts from Ball State University, USA.
Daham’s aptly succeeded in capturing
the imagination of both Qatari and
international audiences and has won
many prestigious awards. His work is
held in numerous public and private
collections throughout the world.
Showcasing with him is IraqiBritish artist Sabah Arbilli who is now
based in Doha. The three sculptures of
Arbilli on display portray his signature
combination of calligraphy with metal
done in intricate designs. Comparatively
smaller in size to some of his previous
ones, Sabah likes to work with life-size
sculptures.
One of his masterpieces is installed
on the Corniche in Doha, with many of
his sculptures installed at many popular
places in the world. Among other artists
displayed at the exhibition are Islam
Kamil from Sudan, Mohammed al Wahibi
from Palestine, Khaled Farhan from
Bahrain, Ebtisam al-Saffar from Qatar,
and Hussein Madi from Lebanon.
A sculpture by Sabah Arbilli on display at KAC.
Photos by Umer Nangiana
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
GULF TIMES
9
COMMUNITY
MOTORING
Adel Hussein Abdulla
Adel Hussein Abdulla back in action at Baja Poland on Sunday.
Adel Hussein stays firmly in hunt for
FIA T2 World Championship Title
N
issan’s Adel Hussein
Abdulla bounced
back from Saturday’s
disappointment to set
some solid stage times
over the remaining four special
stages of Columna Medica Baja
Poland, round seven of the FIA World
Cup for Cross-Country Rallies, on
Sunday.
The Qatari and French navigator
Jean-Michel Polato suffered a broken
suspension bracket on Saturday
that prevented them from tackling
the third stage, but TOK Sport team
technicians repaired the damage
without any problems on Saturday
evening and Adel Hussein Abdulla
was able to rejoin the competitive
action in the FIA T2 Championship
on Sunday and reach the rally finish
in Szczecin in an unofficial eighth
place.
The Qatari is chasing the FIA T2
title this season – open for drivers
of cars entered as Series Production
Cross-Country vehicles – and his
Nissan Patrol has support from
Nissan Qatar, Nissan Middle East
and the Qatar Motor and Motorcycle
Federation (QMMF).
Adel Hussein trailed series leader
Yasir Saeidan by nine points at the
start of the weekend, but the Saudi
endured several punctured tyres
as well on Saturday afternoon and
neither driver was able to benefit
from a useful points’ haul in Poland.
Poland’s Robert Kufel, driving a
Nissan Navara, dominated the early
stages of the event in the T2 category,
but he hit trouble on Sunday
morning and this opened the door
for Martin Sobiech to snatch the win
in T2.
Kufel recovered well over the
closing stages to move back ahead
of Klaudia Podkalicka and snatch
second place. Saeidan reached the
finish in an unofficial seventh place,
with Qatar’s Mohammed al-Harqan
in fifth.
“Obviously it was disappointing
to have the problem on Saturday,
but it could have been a lot worse,”
said Adel Hussein. “Yasir also had
problems and that meant he was
not able to take full advantage of
our issues and pull clear in the
championship.”
Hussein was unable to return to
action for the second of Saturday’s
176.33km selective sections in
the military area around Drawsko
Pomorskie and was handed further
time penalties. But the situation
could have been a whole lot worse
for the Qatari until his arch rival for
the FIA T2 Championship, Yasir
Saiedan, was also delayed and lost
time.
Kufel reached the overnight
halt with a seven-minute lead in
the category over Martin Sobiech,
as Saeidan slipped from second
to seventh position after his own
technical issues.
Two runs through two further
shorter stages were planned for
Sunday to complete the action before
the ceremonial finish in the Szczecin
Rally Park.
Saiedan was fastest through the
30.78km of the Dobra stage, as Kufel
maintained the outright lead and
Hussein returned to action to record
the sixth quickest time. Saeidan was
the man to beat in the subsequent
17.65km of the Lubieszyn stage as
well, although Adel Hussein was
back in a competitive pace and third
quickest on a stage where the T2leading Kufel had his own fair share
of problems.
Hussein finished strongly with top
three times on the last two stages and
remains firmly in title contention
heading to the penultimate round of
the FIA World Cup in Morocco at the
start of October.
New Ford GT supercar to be produced two more years
A
Raj Nair, Ford executive vice president,
product development, and chief technical
officer, alongside the new Ford GT, which will
be produced for an additional two years.
pplicants and fans of the Ford GT
can rejoice as Ford Performance
is adding two more years of
production for the all-new carbon
fibre supercar. The announcement
comes on the heels of letters sent to potential
customers notifying them of their application
status to purchase the car.
The additional production supports the
recent decision by Ford Performance to race
Ford GT in both IMSA and World Endurance
Championship (WEC) series events for four
years.
“While we can’t build enough Ford GTs
for everyone who has applied, we are going
to produce additional vehicles in an effort
to satisfy more of our most loyal Ford
ambassadors,” says Dave Pericak, global
director, Ford Performance. “We want to keep
Ford GT exclusive, but at the same time we
know how vital this customer is to our brand.”
Year three of production will support
applicants who were placed on the wait list;
previously deferred applicants and those
who missed the initial application window
will be served by production year four.
An overhead view of the all-new Ford GT.
The application process for fourth-year
production will reopen in early 2018. Those
who already applied to own the car will only
need to update their request.
“Ford GT has racing in its blood,” says Raj
Nair, Ford executive vice president, product
development, and chief technical officer.
“The road car and race car will live on, sideby-side, for the next four years – providing
ample opportunity to test and prove
innovative new technologies both on and off
the track.”
10 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 30, 2016
COMMUNITY
INFOGRAPHIC
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
GULF TIMES
11
COMMUNITY
LIFESTYLE/HOROSCOPE
Top 5 secrets from professionals
on home renovation
W
hen asked what kind of
upgrades homeowners
would like to make in their
home, most have a similar
wish list that includes
features like marble or granite counter tops,
an open concept kitchen, a remodelled
bathroom and a deck.
There are plenty of good reasons why
people opt for these features. They’re
beautiful, create a certain atmosphere,
and who doesn’t want to come home to a
stylish kitchen and relax on their deck?
But experienced homeowners will tell
you, it’s not just these big showy upgrades
that are important. Often, it’s the unseen
upgrades you might not be immediately
aware of that really make a difference and
impact the quality of life in your home. It’s
especially important to remind first-time
homeowners of these five considerations
to keep in mind when building or
renovating.
Privacy is key
With televisions, computers, music and
lively conversation, even a small family can
air quality of your home. However, there are
things you can do in the building process
as well. One of these is to install a drywall,
which is a specialty drywall product designed
to actively clean formaldehyde and other
volatile chemicals from the air.
Invest in a new furnace
If you find yourself taking too many days
off work to meet the furnace repairman, it
might be time to have a new furnace installed.
Not only do the modern, energy efficient
furnaces save as much as $200 a year, but
they’re quieter, require less maintenance
and, should you go to sell, are a huge perk to
potential home buyers.
make a lot of noise. Bring quiet to the home
with the right kind of drywall.
Upgrade the roof.
It might cost more, but investing in a high
quality roof has two main advantages. One
being, it will last longer, so you won’t have
to face the expense of re-roofing in another
ARIES
March 21 — April 19
If you feel you have been mislead in some way Aries, make sure you
haven’t done the same thing elsewhere. With Mercury out of phase
in your sixth house, things are up in the air for you and everyone
else.
CANCER
June 21 — July 22
You do have options today so don’t think just because things aren’t
going the way you had hoped they would that you don’t. You simply
have to look for them.
LIBRA
September 23 — October 22
Unless you really feel like doing something today, your best bet is to
lie low Librans. In your house of secrets and hidden desires, a slew of
planets could be making it difficult for you to sleep right now.
CAPRICORN
December 22 — January 19
As much as your travel zone is lit up by the planets, one of those
planets is Mercury out of phase (through September 22). Travel at
your own risk goats!
15 or 20 years. The second is that if you go to
sell, having a high quality roof that will last
years — even decades — will equate to a better
resale value.
Improve indoor air quality
Adding plants and opening windows are
two of the easiest ways to improve the indoor
TAURUS
April 20 — May 20
If you feel a spat coming on between you and your partner, do
everything you can to defuse it today. It’s not a good time to try to
communicate at all.
LEO
July 23 — August 22
If at first you don’t succeed...you know the rest Leos. Persevere and
be open to changes and some unforseen delays and detours and
you will prevail.
SCORPIO
October 23 — November 21
Stop overthinking things and simply do what you need to do to get
on with it today Scorpios. Ignore that friend who doesn’t seem to
understand whatever it is you are saying too. You know it makes
sense...at least to you it does.
AQUARIUS
January 20 — February 18
There is nothing wrong with asking for help today. Yes we all know
just how independent you are, but sometimes even you need
someone to help you out with something.
Fill the cavities between the walls
No matter what climate zone you live in,
insulation is incredibly important. There are
many types of insulation out there, so be sure
to talk to your contractor or builder about
what kind is best for the area where you live.
The right kind and thickness will save you
money on both heating and cooling bills.
©Brandpoint
GEMINI
May 21 — June 20
Sometimes you have to reveal more than yourself than you might
like Geminis. Today is one of those days with the Moon in your
communication zone. Think before you speak!
VIRGO
August 23 — September 22
Your sign is being hit hardest by Mercury your ruler out of phase
(through September 22). In your first house of personality and ego,
this is not the time to try to convince anyone, including yourself to
do anything.
SAGITTARIUS
November 22 — December 21
Be honest with yourself and others today – even if it means you
overly exaggerated something or told a white lie to get out of doing
something you didn’t want to do last week.
PISCES
February 19 — March 20
If someone is working your last nerve, don’t put up with it today
Pisces. There are enough natural annoyances in the world, so why
should you?
12 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 30, 2016
COMMUNITY
Wordsearch
Adam
Pooch Cafe
FF
BAFFLE
BOFFIN
BUFFER
COFFER
EFFORT
FLURRY
GUFFAW
MUFFIN
MUFFLE
PIFFLE
RUFFLE
SHUFFLE
SKIFFLE
SUFFIX
WAFFLE
Codeword
Puzzles courtesy: Puzzlechoice.com
Every letter of the alphabet is used at least once.
Squares with the same number in have the same letter
in. Work out which number represents which letter.
Garfield
Sudoku
Bound And Gagged
Sudoku is a puzzle based
on a 9x9 grid. The grid is
also divided into nine (3x3)
boxes. You are given a
selection of values and to
complete the puzzle, you
must fill the grid so that
every column, every anone
is repeated.
PUZZLES/CARTOONS
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
COMMUNITY
PUZZLES
Quick Clues
ACROSS
7. Small cave (6)
8. Hue (6)
10. Perform surgery (7)
11. Power (5)
12. Oaf (4)
13. Spicy dish (5)
17. Hard-wearing fabric (5)
18. Unit of time (4)
22. Premier (5)
23. Destructive (7)
24. Tell (6)
25. Infertile (6)
GULF TIMES
Colouring
DOWN
1. Base (7)
2. Optimistic (7)
3. Cut of meat (5)
4. Solace (7)
5. Grieve (5)
6. Fleeting (5)
9. Financial (9)
14. Characters (7)
15. Temporary stay (7)
16. Gift (7)
19. Append (5)
20. Boats (5)
21. Essential (5)
Cryptic Clues
Answers
Wordsearch
ACROSS
7. Material that’s checked by Sailor
Brown (6)
8. The start of spring (6)
10. Decide to show determination (7)
11. Annoyed by a dissolute idler (5)
12. Military group back from the
conflict in Uganda (4)
13. Neat pair joined together (5)
17. A big bill is associated with one in
the baby-carriage business (5)
18 . She is marooned by the River
Amazon (4)
22. Accurate description of obsolete
statute (5)
23. Operations room (7)
24. Not so much about part of the
school programme (6)
25. Almost lose sight of the sprite (6)
DOWN
1. One who’s backed puts his foot in it (7)
2. Club that is after the money (7)
3 . High wind round the top of the building or part
of it (5)
4 . Series of lessons designed for golfers (7)
5. It’s used for boring exercise (5)
6. Directs those in the chief roles (5)
9. Smart code adapted by members of a political
party (9)
14. It’s not a change of fixed position (7)
15. Where in Washington bad taste is shown by the
French (7)
16. Historical spectacle in which a colonist is
preceded by an attendant
(7)
19. In the waters you’ll find fifty of these creatures (5)
20. Kind of coat made out of rejected material, we
hear (5)
21. The man with many a slave (5)
Codeword
Yesterday’s Solutions
QUICK
Across: 1 Aloof; 4 Gelding; 8 Painter; 9
China; 10 Over; 11 Thousand; 13 Pail; 14 Fete;
16 Airliner; 17 Trug; 20 Elope; 21 Earnest; 22
Yielded; 23 Miser.
Down: 1 Approximately; 2 Opine; 3 Fate; 4
Gurkha; 5 Lecturer; 6 Imitate; 7 Granddaughter;
12 Dividend; 13 Purpose; 15 Depend; 18 Reeds; 19
Grim.
CRYPTIC
Across: 1 Graft; 4 Debated; 8 Instead; 9 Adieu;
10 Game; 11 Medieval; 13 Ajar; 14 Ages; 16
Absinthe; 17 Sumo; 20 Genoa; 21 Noughts; 22
Talents; 23 Fired.
Down: 1 Going straight; 2 Assam; 3 Tied;
4 Dudley; 5 Bearings; 6 Thieves; 7 Doublecrossed; 12 Maintain; 13 Arsenal; 15 Things; 18
Usher; 19 Duff.
13
14 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 30, 2016
COMMUNITY
POP SPOT
Ryan Giggs gradual
rise to stardom
By Geoffery Rowlands
F
ootball fans will be well
aware of the name Giggs.
Welsh international Ryan
Giggs joined Manchester
United on his 14th birthday
in 1987. After making his first team
debut in 1991, he remained with the
club throughout his career before
retiring from playing on May 19, 2014.
United were so successful during this
time that Giggs has more winners
medals than any other player in world
football.
Ryan’s namesake, the London-born
rapper Giggs, has also found fame.
Now 33, he has been active in the music
business since 2005. Unlike Ryan, who
was a star almost from his first game,
Giggs has gradually risen to stardom.
A member of the notorious Peckham
Boys gang, he decided to pursue
music after serving a two-year prison
sentence for possession of a firearm.
“I was a different person back
then,” said the man born Nathaniel
Thompson. “I’d left school at 16. I had
no prospects of getting a decent job
and didn’t want one. I was part of the
SN1 set of the Peckham Boys. My world
was one of crime, drugs, violence and
gang warfare.
“Music became my way out. But
it didn’t happen overnight. I was an
angry young man and these feelings
came out in my song lyrics. My
involvement with the Peckham Boys
decreased but I was still part of the
social circle. The gang members were
still my friends.”
His first musical efforts were
a succession of mixtapes such as
Hollowman (his original rap name)
Meets Blade, Welcome to Boomzville,
Best of Giggs and Ard Bodied.
In 2008, he independently released
his debut LP, Walk in da Park, which
reached number 148 on the UK albums
chart and number 34 on the R&B
chart. Critics hailed the album as a rap
classic. Such was the response that
Giggs was named Best Hip Hop Act:
UK on America’s Black Entertainment
Television Awards show.
The follow-up, 2010’s Let Em Ave It,
fared considerably better. It peaked at
number 35 on the UK albums chart and
number seven on the R&B chart. The
album also spawned his first singles to
enter the UK top 100. Don’t Go There
reached number 60 and Look What The
Cat Dragged In hit number 53.
But his continuing relationships
with members of the Peckham Boys
landed Giggs back in jail as recently as
February, 2012.
“I had been recording at the Huxbear
Street studio in Brockley. This is a
community project which I’d partfunded with the inner-city charity
XLP. The idea was to give kids a place
to go to keep them off the streets.
“I’d had a few drinks so wasn’t going
to drive home and accepted a lift from
in
brief
The Tragically Hip
The Tragically Hip are a quintessentially Canadian band. The
Kingston, Ontario, rockers have made little impact on the
charts outside their native land. But nine of their 13 studio
albums have topped the Canadian chart. Only their 1989 debut
LP, Up To Here, failed to make the top three. Their 1997 live
album, Live Between Us, also took top spot while the 2005
compilation, Yer Favourites, reached number two.
The band have also received a plethora of Canadian music
awards including 14 Junos. They have a star on Canada’s Walk of
Fame in Toronto and were even depicted on a Canadian postage
stamp.
So it was that the people of Canada were profoundly affected
by the announcement earlier this year that singer and guitarist
Gord Downie had been diagnosed with terminal brain cancer.
But The Hip also announced a nationwide concert tour to
promote their latest album, Man Machine Poem.
The recently completed tour was an emotional experience
for the audiences and band members. Although some media
outlets suggested it would be their farewell tour, the band
made no such statement. Gord’s tumour is incurable but it
has responded favourably to radiation and chemotherapy
treatment. Further recordings and concerts will be dependent
upon the state of his health.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation aired The Hip’s final
concert at Kingston’s K-Rock Centre. It was broadcast live on
television, radio and the Internet, a fitting tribute to a band
who have effectively soundtracked life in Canada for most of
the last 30 years.
Dark Forest
Heavy and power metal tends not to feature as prominently
in the mainstream music charts as it did around 30 years ago.
But there are still many bands who release high quality music
and play sold out concert tours.
One of these is English quintet Dark Forest. Hailing from the
West Midlands town of Dudley, the band formed in 2002. It
was five years later before they self-released their first EP,
Fear Dearg, and another two before their eponymously titled
debut album. This can be heard in full at www.youtube.com/
watch?v=aZgnJpgalzs
Two more albums, Dawn of Infinity and The Awakening, allied
to a solid concert schedule, greatly increased their fan base.
Both of these albums are available to hear in full at (no www.)
darkforest-uk.bandcamp.com
The band have now released their fourth studio album,
Beyond The Veil. Lead track, The Undying Flame, is posted at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=_4OOVJAYV3w&feature=youtu.be
Yellowcard
LONG TIME IN THE MAKING: Ryan Giggs has been active in the music business since
2005.
a couple of friends. The police stopped
the car and found a loaded gun plus
more rounds of ammunition. We were
all charged with possession of a firearm
with intent to endanger life.
“With my previous gun conviction,
I was remanded in custody. Despite
having no connection to the gun, I
was probably looking at a long jail
term. But one of the guys eventually
pleaded guilty to having the gun and
my defence council convinced the
jury that with everything I had to lose,
there was no way I’d risk a ten-year jail
sentence by firing at people from the
car window.”
The difference between Giggs in
2005 and 2012 was evident in his
feelings about being recognised by
fellow inmates while on remand at
Belmarsh prison.
“They regarded me as a celebrity but
all I felt was shame. I thought I’d put
that part of my life behind me and was
trying to use what influence I might
have to point young people in the right
direction. But there they were seeing
me in jail again. I worried that any kids
I had been able to help would think I’d
conned them.”
Despite his legal issues, Giggs’
mainstream popularity continued to
grow. 2013’s When Will It Stop reached
number 21 on the UK album chart and
number two on the R&B chart. But this
paled in comparison to his recently
released fourth album. Landlord peaked
at number two on the album chart and
took pole position on the R&B chart.
“Somebody said I’ve become a pop
star. But a lot of rappers have much
bigger hits than me. It’s rewarding to
know I’m able to reach more people
with my music. I’ll keep on trying to
become a better rapper and a better
person.”
The track takes around 30 seconds to really get going
but Yellowcard’s new single, The Hurt Is Gone, is worth
the wait. The video is posted at www.youtube.com/
watch?v=9m5Br9Jg50A
It is the second track taken from the Los Angeles-based
quartet’s self-titled tenth and final studio album which is
scheduled for release on September 30.
The band formed in Jacksonville, Florida, in 1997. They have
undergone numerous personnel changes over the years. Only
violinist/vocalist Sean Mackin has remained with Yellowcard
throughout their career. They will disband next March after
playing a final tour of North America, Europe, Australia and
Japan.
A video for Rest In Peace, lead single from the new album, is
at www.youtube.com/watch?v=IUNw3xAbNPc. Much more
Yellowcard music can be found on YouTube.
Lady Gaga
Lady Gaga will be the leading lady in the latest Hollywood
remake of A Star Is Born.
The original film, which starred Janet Gaynor and Fredric
March, was made in 1937. It was remade with a slightly
different story in 1954. Judy Garland and James Mason took
the starring roles. A third version, again with a slightly different
story, appeared in 1976. Barbra Streisand and Kris Kristofferson
played the lead protagonists.
Gaga will write and perform new music for the latest remake.
Production should begin in 2017.
Tuesday, August 30, 2016
GULF TIMES
15
COMMUNITY
BOLLYWOOD
I still have more to
achieve: Jacqueline
By Nivedita
S
ri Lankan beauty
Jacqueline Fernandez
doesn’t agree she has
“arrived” in Bollywood.
She says there is still
long way to go for her to achieve
something substantial in the Hindi
film industry.
A former beauty queen in Sri
Lanka, Jacqueline forayed into
Bollywood with Aladin and went on
to do some multi-starrer films like
Kick, Roy, Housefull and Dishoom.
She also starred in the recently
released A Flying Jatt.
Asked if she feels like going
back to her country and doing
something for the people there,
Jacqueline told IANS: “I have done
quite a bit in Sri Lanka. I have
worked in Sri Lankan movies and
we did something with Miss Sri
MILES TO GO: Jacqueline Fernandez
Hollywood for Boman only
with substantial role
Actor Boman Irani is open to
the idea of going to Hollywood
to explore a “different world of
acting” — albeit only when a
“substantial” opportunity comes
knocking at his door.
A wave of Indian talent with
names like Priyanka Chopra, Irrfan
Khan, Nimrat Kaur, Anupam Kher
and Deepika Padukone, has hit
foreign shores. While Boman, 56,
is not averse to the idea of working
in the West, he says he won’t jump
onto the bandwagon with a run-ofthe-mill role.
“If something substantial comes
my way, I will (explore Hollywood).
An actor will always like to explore
different mediums, different styles
of acting and different world of
acting,” Boman told IANS over
phone from Mumbai.
“If something comes, sure
enough. If not, then I am content in
whatever I do,” he added.
The actor, who is the brand
ambassador for Ambi Pur India
and is busy urging people to take
a ‘Smelfie Challenge’ to rid their
homes of odour, is known for films
like Happy New Year, Housefull 3,
Student of the Year and 3 Idiots.
As far as Bollywood is concerned,
Boman says he is going through
a few projects, but refrains from
spilling any information about
them. He said: “There are three
projects but I have not signed for
it. So, it will be stupid of me to
mention it ... you will know about
them soon.” — IANS
positive energy and the journey
is great,” she said of the show. It’s
not just films. The actress is also
enjoying her endorsement deals
and the latest is her association
with haircare and styling brand
TRESemmé.
The actress also walked the
runway on the fourth day of the
ongoing fashion week in Mumbai
for designer Ashish Soni, who
showcased his collection in
association with the brand.
“I have been very selective with
the brands with whom I associate,
which is why there are very few
but fantastic brands (on my
endorsement plate). I only go for
brands that I am loyal to, as for me,
authenticity is very important.
“It’s the belief that you have with
the products, that sells it. If you
don’t have that belief, people will
notice it. A lot of times things do
look forced, which I think should
not happen,” she said. — IANS
I admire Shah Rukh as a worker: Alia Bhatt
Actress Alia Bhatt is beaming with joy upon working
with superstar Shah Rukh Khan — who she admires
for his professionalism — in Dear Zindagi. “It was
absolutely amazing (experience of working with Shah
Rukh). It was such a beautiful experience to work with
him. He is so professional,” Alia told IANS over phone.
Since her debut project Student of the Year in 2012,
Alia has delivered laudable performances in films like
Highway, 2 States, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Kapoor
and Sons and Udta Punjab.
Gauri Shinde’s Dear Zindagi marks the first time that
she will appear in a film with Shah Rukh. And she is
ecstatic about the project. “I admire him as a worker so
much because he is so good to work with and be around
on the sets,” said Alia, who is the daughter of filmmaker
Mahesh Bhatt and yesteryear actress Soni Razdan.
The first look of Dear Zindagi, in which the actors
seem to be having a deep conversation, teased movie
buffs. And Alia says she “can’t wait for the people to see
the film”. The storyline of the film, which will release on
November 25, is still a well-kept secret. — IANS
Gauri Khan spells out
passion for designing
CONTENT: Boman Irani
Lanka pageant as well in terms of
mentoring and judging.
“I think right now in order to
do stuff like that (giving back to
the people), I want to do establish
myself enough first.
“I still feel I have a lot more to
do and achieve. Once I am able to
do that, I will be able to focus my
attention on things like reaching
out, helping and giving back to
people. It really needs to come at
the point when you feel you have
enough to give back. Right now I
feel I still have to do lot more.”
She says there is “still a bit
more to go” before she arrives in
Bollywood.
In the meantime, she is also
dabbling with the small screen
space. Jacqueline is seen as one of
the judges in Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa
Season 9.
“We have such an amazing
time together and everyone will
vouch for that. We all have great,
Gauri Khan, wife of Shah Rukh
Khan, has made a place for herself
as an entrepreneur and a designer.
She says “staying curious” about
things keeps her inspired and helps
her narrate her vision through her
designs.
“I’m truly passionate about
designing. I love walking into
an empty room and imagining
what it could be. My inspiration
comes from travelling to different
locations. Staying curious keeps me
inspired,” Gauri told IANS.
She was in Gurgaon to be part of
the Mercedes-Benz Luxe Drive, a
customer engagement programme
by the luxury car maker. Gauri,
who has established herself as
an interior designer as well as
fashion designer, got associated
with the initiative to showcase her
collection ‘Gauri Khan Designs’,
while celebrity chef Ritu Dalmia
WORKPLACE BONDING: Shah Rukh Khan, left, and Alia
Bhatt.
doled out some lip-smacking
Italian delicacies at the event. So
what all changes do you spot in the
industry?
“I see the emerging trend
towards brass and warm gold-tones
gathering pace and the popularity
of copper and bronze hues
continuing,” she said.
About her association with the
drive event, she said: “It has been
an honour to be associated with
a brand of such an elite class.” —
IANS
DRIVEN BY CURIOSITY: Gauri Khan at Mercedes Benz LuxeDrive in Gurgaon.
16 GULF TIMES Tuesday, August 30, 2016
COMMUNITY
SLICE OF LIFE: A still from the film. Bamboo Flowers will be screened today at 7pm, at the Drama Theatre, Building 16, Katara.
A tale of three lives
Katara hosts free screening of acclaimed Filipino film
Bamboo Flowers that successfully blends exposition of
local culture and entertainment value. By Anand Holla
M
ultiple tales of diverse
characters experience sea
changes to their usually
idyllic lives in the Philippine
province of Bohol in director
Maryo J de los Reyes’ well-received film
Bamboo Flowers.
In what can be called an end of summer
treat to film lovers of Qatar, Katara, in
cooperation with the Philippine Embassy in
Doha and Film Development Council of the
Philippines (FDCP), will be screening Bamboo
Flowers today (Tuesday) at 7pm, at the Drama
Theatre, Building 16, Katara. The entry is
free.
Hailed as a film that successfully blends
exposition of local culture and entertainment
value, Bamboo Flowers “takes on themes
such as school bullying, urban migration and
the problematic path of establishing careers
and making ends meet in a limited economic
environment” according to Inquirer.net.
Ambassador of the Philippines to Qatar,
Wilfredo C Santos, told Community, “I’d
like to thank Katara for the opportunity to
showcase Filipino movies in Qatar which
provides Filipinos the rare opportunity to
enjoy quality and award-winning films.”
The plot of the 2013 film revolves around
three stories. The first story is about the
tour guide Berta, who lives with her teenage
son and elderly father, and is having a tough
time making ends meet. The second features
Luis, who is studying to be a seafarer in one
of the many maritime schools in Bohol. He
constantly flunks his classes and is thereby
unable to graduate. Meanwhile, his girlfriend
works as a resort intern who dreams of going
abroad and eventually meets a foreigner who
offers her the chance she is waiting for. The
third story pertains to Sandra, a widow from
Manila who returns to her native Bohol after
the tragic passing of her husband with her
spoiled child in tow.
The film chronicles the lives of regular
people living on Bohol island and narrates
the complications of their daily lives as well
as their dreams, hopes, fears, struggles, and
disappointments, Santos pointed out. “This
movie is being shown on the occasion of the
Philippine national language month which is
celebrated every August.”
Santos further added, “The screening of
the film Bamboo Flowers is part of the cultural
diplomacy programme of the Philippine
Embassy in Doha aimed at increasing
awareness and appreciation for Filipino
culture through the medium of cinema. I
thank Katara for the support it has given the
Philippine Embassy in organising its cultural
activities. Katara served as venue for the
Ballet Philippines performance and the gala
screening of the film Heneral Luna last year.
This year’s screening of Bamboo Flowers
is a continuation of our efforts to promote
Filipino culture in this part of the world.”
Following the film’s screening at the 8th
Bridges to the World Film Festival held
earlier this year in Maryland, USA, Betty
McGinnis, President and founder of World
Artists Experiences (WAE), a non-profit
organisation with the mission to bridge
international understanding through cultural
and citizen diplomacy, had said, “The film
is a wonderful means of people being taken
to the Philippines and better understanding
the spirit of the people, the culture, and the
country through the arts.”
A plot summary on IMDb describes, “The
actual chandelier-shaped bamboo flowers
that blossom only before death inspire this
anthology about the lives of different people
in Bohol, who have to deal with the everchanging world around them. The erosion of
traditions and beliefs forces change in their
lives and pushes them towards drastic life
decisions.”
The cast includes Ruru Madrid, Max
Collins, Orlando Sol, and Mylene Dizon.
Maryo Delos Reyes is best known for his
childhood-themed film Magnifico, which
won him Best Feature Film at the Berlin
International Film Festival in 2004, Best
Director at the 2004 FAMAS Awards, and
Best Film of the Decade at the Gawad Urian
Awards in 2011.